Folding machine



Patented July 31, 1928.

; UNITED STATES.

CLARENCE P. ROUSH, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

ronnine MACHINE.

Application filed May 25,

My present invention relates to an improved folding machine of the manually operated type and designed especially for folding sheets of paper. While the machine 1nay be used for various different purposes, it is designed especially as an oflice appliancefor folding letter sheets in quantities, circular letters, and other forms of paper sheets. The primary object of the invention. is the provision of a labor saving device by means of which a number of sheets may be folded simultaneously preparatory to being inserted into a' letterenvelope, or preparatory to being filed. Thus, a number of letters of correspondence may be given, say two folds, that wall facilitate the placing of these letters in their envelopes, or in the case of circular letters, one or more folds may be given to 'a number of circular letters, and then the circular letters placed in their envelopes. In this manner the slow process of folding each letter, or sheet, separately, by hand is eliminated to a material degree and the process of mailing or filing considerably facilitated.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts involved in my invention are combined and arranged according to the best mode. I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the folding machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view at line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the folding bar in working position.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view at line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lever that is used to lift the folding plate to permit insertion of the sheets to be folded.

In carrying out my invention I preferably use a box like structure 1 of sheet metal that is adapted to roll on rubbertread rollers2 and is provided with a table top 3, and at the underside is provided with a cross brace 4 for reinforcing the top of the flanged base or box. This base or box is preferably of rectangular shape with its top elevated an appropriate distance above 1927. Serial No. 194,106.

the top of a desk on which the rollers are adapted to rest without marring the desk. On the top of the base is provided a rectangular shaped guide or folding plate 5, preferably-of resilient material and slightly elevated above the table top 3. By means of bolts 6 that pass through the flange 7 of the folding plate, and a pair of slots 8 in the table top 3, the plate may be' adjusted and moved to the right or left in Figure 1, with relation to the base or table 1. i i

The sheets or letters S (dotted lines Fig. 2) to be folded are inserted under the free edge of the folding plate and the forward edges of these sheets are pushed under the folding plate a suitable distance until they contact with a stop bar 9 thatis located between the table top and the under side of the folding plateand extends across the table. At one end this stop'bar is fashioned with a head 10 located at one side of the table and a lever 11 has a bolt 12 that passes through a slot 13 in the bracket 14 secured at the outer side of the flanged table. A clampplate 16 is located below the slotted plate and it will be apparent that by turning the lever 11 the head 10 may be clamped in desired position on the slotted bracket 14. Thus the stop bar may be moved toward or away from the elevated free edge of the folding plate to adjust the bar for various sizes of sheets and for various lengths of folds in the sheets.

Thus if two folds are to be made in a letter sheet, the forward end of the sheet is two folds, two devices may be used with the 7 stop bars located in properly adjusted positions to make the two folds.

After the sheet or sheets have been placed or partly inserted under the folding plate, the folding bar 16 is manipulated by use. of its handle 17 to swing on its pivots 18 in brackets 19 fixed at the sides of the table. The bar is swung on its pivots by hand the folding face 20 of the bar presses against the under side of the sheets, turns them over the edge of the folding plate, and presses the turned over portions into folds, after which the foldin bar turned back and the folded sheets withdrawn. The sheets are then separated, if they are separate letter sheets, and the fold is completed by hand while being inserted in an envelope.

The sheets to be folded are slipped "under the free edge of the folding plate and guided by the bearing face of the folding bar, and of course the free ends of the sheets lie on the face 20 of the bar 16 when the bar is in position of Figures 1 and 2. To facilitate the insertion of the sheets under the free edge of the folding plate, this edge is lifted by means actuated by hearing down on the handle 17 in Figures 1 and At the sides of the table are arranged a pair of levers 21 each pivoted at 22 on the pivots 1.8 ofthe folding bar and loose on said pins. At their ends each lever is fashioned with an arm 23 for co action with the folding plate and an arm 21- for co-action with the folding bar, these arms being seated at times in the respective depressions 25 in the table at one side of the pivot 18 and at 26 at the other side of the pivot. Thus when the handle 17 is pressed down the under face of the folding bar 16 engages the lugs or arms 24:, depressing them, and tilting upwardly the arms 23, and as the latter are in position to engage the .under face of the folding plate 5, the free edge of this plate is elevated to permit insertion of the sheets. As the pressure is removed from the handle 17 and from arms 24L, the resiliency of the folding plate causes the lever arms to again swing to their normal position and the folding plate assumes po sition for ready folding of the sheets over its free edge. After one batch of sheets has been folded and withdrawn, successive batches of sheets are inserted, folded, and withdrawn as described, the handle 17 and folding bar being swung over to the dotted line position of Fig. 2 and the full line position of Figure 3 to accomplish the folds in the sheets described.

the free edge of the plate, and. said bar having a hearing face for coaction with the free edge of the plate n folding a sheet.

2. In a foldlng machine the combination with a table having a spaced, resilient foldingplate, of a pivoted folding bar adjacent tl1Q1'1QG edge ofthe plate, means actuated by the bar for elevating the free edge of the plate to permit insertion of a sheet, and said bar having a bearing face force-action with the free ec ge of the plate in folding a sheet.

3. In a folding machine the combination with a table having a spaced, resilient fold ing plate, of a pivoted folding bar adjacent the free edge of the .plate, levers co-acting \vith'the bar and plate for elevating the free edge of the plate to permit insertion of a sheet, .and sa d bar havlng a bearingface far tidin s sheet.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature.

CLARENCE P. RQUSH.

for coaction with the free edge of the plate 

